Sports Books

I know how to weld, cut metal design and tune suspensions from scratch adapt junk to something useful the list of things I can do seems endless sometimes. Before I got this book I could do none of these things THIS is the book that gave me the bug which bit me and inspired me to learn to do all these things and to search for knowledge online in books etc. It all began with this book. This book has forced me to take back all my sarcastic cynical remarks about actually building your own car when my wife bought this book for me. It is not a perfect book If it was I wouldnt have learned half of what I do now about suspensions etc since ford cortinas are not sold here But that is part of this books charm its hook is in getting you off your back side and into the pursuit of your own personal sports car. Its been a fantastic ride and I hope you buy a copy too

This is an excellent book to help you develop your own first kit car. It will guide you step by step including how to weld, where to source parts, etc. It is an inspiring book!

The Locost is really a homebuilt-as in, from scratch-Lotus 7, and for the person with more time than money, it's a magnificently educational project.

My only caveat is, it's tiny. Before you start cutting metal, at least sit in one , if you can't arrange a drive. Also, you may have to import components or scrounge very, very carefully in the US for the needed parts, as the English Fords the Locost is designed around are scarce on the ground in America.

Ultimately, the American reader/builder would probably be better off with a scaled up version around common RWD Japanese and other common bits from U.S. junkyards and a bigger cockpit-Americans tend to be heftier than Europeans. Engines readily available in the U.S. such as the Quad 4 and the 20R/22R Toyota which make ideal sense, also, are a bit big for the Locost as designed.

That doesn't take away from this book one iota-it's worth five stars for inspiration alone.

I usually read this kind of books from cover to cover, and I did't thought it was going to be that exiting!

I just can't wait to get started! I know almost nothing about mechanics, but this book shows everything so easy that I think I can do it by my self...

The only "contra" is that maybe it will not come out for 250 (of any currency in the world) because it starts with a donnor car in good working condition bought for 75 pounds... I'd be glad to find something like that for at least 1000 USD ... but that's not the case in my country... Also, you need some equipement, and that won't cost just 5 bucks...

Great book, made the process straightforward and understandable. If you simply follow the steps in the book you will end up with a really good little sports car. If you also incorporate some information from Caroll Smith and Allen Staninforth's books you will have a car that will beat the pants off a Caterham.
Great read, empowering... even if you never build the car.

I've played pool most of my adult(and teenage) life. I've spent time on several tours and am always looking to learn something new. Byrne covers an amazing array of pool and billiard situations and does an outstanding job of diagraming and explaining the physics involved(Robert would insist that I give credit to Bob Jewett for this). If you think there's nothing in this book that's new to you you're most likely mistaken. Byrne's other books are outstanding as well. By the way, Bob...you've got the eight and one going to 7, bet high.:-)

I have read just about every book on this subject, there is no better book than this one! In fact, I recommend all of Robert Byrne's Pool & Billiards books and videos. He is an accomplished player, teacher and author.

This book will meet and exceeds everyones expectations on the subject!

I had been playing pool for approximately 10 years before i read this book, 3 of the 10 years were in "a" leagues and competitive nine and eight ball tournaments. before i read this book, i was able to run one rack out of every ten, after reading this book my game improved 500 percent. i was able to consistently run 5 racks out of every 10. the book has very explicit instructions and absolutely superb illustrations and examples of several methods of setting up shots. i expecially liked the procedure for running a table, it has some very good advice and if anyone follows it and can shoot just a little bit they will be able to run racks. i can't say enough about the benefits this book has had for my game. in my opinion robert byrnes, is the best teacher of the game of pool bar none! i read this book in about eight hours. it's a page turner if you want to improve your game or even are thinking about learning how to play the game, this is the book for ! you.

I just learned about this NEW publication, which is a revision of the one I read "Byrne's Standard Book of Pool and Billiards", Copyright © 1987, 1978 by the same author Robert Byrne. I have read just about every book on this subject, and there is no better book than this one! In fact, I recommend all of Robert Byrne's Pool & Billiards books and videos. He is an accomplished player, teacher and author.

I have no doubts that this book will meet and exceeds everyone's expectations on the subject!

Outstanding information on basic and advanced technique.It tells you about draw and follow shots, and also english.It also gives you information on straight pool, eight-ball, and many other pool games.This is in my opinion, the only book on pool and billiards you will ever need. Robert Byrne has really outdone himself by creating this masterpiece. This book should be on the shelves of every pool and billiards player. This is by far the best book on pool and billiards ever written.

You gotta love Stienstra,a lifetime of info on hundreds of fishin spots

This book is a must have for anyone fishing in the state of California. I wish Tom would write one for every state. I don't fish any body of water in California until I look it up in this book. However, I agree with Alex. Tom really should write more about SHORE fishing. We don't all have boats.

When I first moved to California 9 years ago I picked this up and have worn out my copy. A tremendously helpful reference that has introduced me to some of the most wonderful fishing spots I've ever enjoyed. There are many more I've read about that I can't wait to try.

I've seen a number of California fishing books but this one is simply the best. Whether you are flyfishing or using spinning tackle, you want to know the lay of the land, where to fish, when to go, how to get there, who to talk to. This book answers all those things. It is an excellent comprehensive introduction to the fishable waters of California. Excellent maps, directions, and local guides/services for further advice. It breaks down all the areas of California into discrete geographic segments then gives detailed information on the area.

It is clear that Stienstra is an experienced fisherman whether it is on the fly, lures, or bait. This book is for the true fisherman and covers all the offshore, inshore, and freshwater fishing available throughout California. I cannot recommend this book enough. There are so many bad books on fishing and flyfishing, where the authors spout on and on about their theories and thoughts. This is a book that is more like a reference guide and is an essential resource. The author is very well versed in freshwater and saltwater fishing and the writing is straightforward, with opinions registered when they are needed.

Great book for the average fisherman who didn't grow up in Mt. Shasta, Calif. Tom raves about the fishing in Lake Siskiyou, not realizing that the dam ruined some of the best stream fishing I have ever seen. Of course, that was 30 or so years ago. Still, around that area, and I'm not telling where, there are still native trout in small streams located on the Mt. Eddy side. When I say native, I don't mean real native. Those Mt. Eddy lakes and streams were planted years ago, mostly by the CCC. In fact, my father, Eugene Babcock, planted the Mumbo Lakes Basin by mule train when he was with the CCC. I'm now 56 and those easy hikes into the Mumbo Lakes Basin are now hard hikes. If you head to Dobkins or Durney or Eddy Crater lakes without proper gear and physical fitness, you are headed for trouble. Otherwise, this is a great book with true fishing guidelines for Siskiyou, Modoc and Plumas counties. Tom, quit giving away my favorite fishing places.....

Cliff Babcock

This book lives up to its title. Some of the tips are fascinating, although as a "car camper" I may never utilize them (for example, despite the book's recommendations, a Eureka dome tent is more convenient and practical for my family then, say, a hand-fashioned shelther of canvas and rope, or pine boughs). Nevertheless, even the information that I may never utilize myself is fascinating to read, and the book is otherwise full of "smaller scale" tips and tricks (e.g., cooking, tools, hiking and orienteering, etc.) that are useful to all levels of campers.

With this book, Mr. Jacobson has compiled some of the best tips and ideas for camping out of doors. From winter camping to knot-tying, it is a VERY helpful resource for the beginning/intermediate camper. The book is easy to read and easy to reference with subjects listed in alphabetical order. He covers almost anything you could think you want to know about camping, with very good information on canoeing as well. Read this book before you go!

Cliff Jacobson is in my opinion the best canoe-camping-outdoor equipment-how-to guy writing today. And this book is very good, full of wonderful tips and advice laid out in far greater detail than most any of his competitors can muster.

Since I enjoy this author so much, I didn't even mind that the organization of "Camping Tips only the Experts Know" is a little haphazard, using the letters of the alphabet. Nor did I mind that most of the camping tips presented I'd already come across in Cliff's other outdoor books, including his masterpiece, "Expedition Canoeing." However, there were just enough brand new tips to keep me turning pages. And the occasional re-tooled old tip explained in even greater and more helpful detail.

My advice would be, if you're interested in camping, especially canoe camping, then buy everything this author has ever written. You'll be more comfortable and efficient in the great outdoors -- and appreciative of it -- than ever before. But if you can only get one or two of his books, then choose between "Expedition Canoeing" and/or "Canoeing and Camping, Beyond the Basics." They are extraordinary.

Cliff Jacobson is one of the authors of a great series of camping books called the "Basic Essentials". He is popular because he writes in a homey accessible style that gets you interested in the subject and teaches you in simple terms anyone can grasp. In the series are books on camping basics, cooking outdoors, map and compass, shelter, weather, canoeing, fishing, first aid, and more. They are great little library to have but if you can't afford them all, buy this one for all the basics. Cliff has put together a book that has information from all of these and a little more. Some of his "secrets" are really helpful tips you may have heard before if you are an experianced camper, but you can bet there will be some new ones too. An all around great resource for the experianced or rookie camper, I highly reccommend.

Wow.
There was a lot of stuff I didn't know. Twenty five years of camping on the average of once a month and I got a lot out of this book. Jacobsen's advice on pitching tarps alone is worth the price of the book. There is a minimal amount of old chestnuts aand lots of really useful information.

Buy it for the great cars!
But it for the great photos of the cars!
Buy it for the play by play of each and every race.
-for the Amazing list pro drivers whom were brave enough to get behind the wheels of these 'Big Bangers!
-for the behind the scenes looks at these monster big block engines and how they pushed the envelope of technology.
-for the wild designs as each team played at the first tentative steps at understanding Aerodynamic down force!

Nothing, nothing was more grand or powerful at that time! So get this book that perfectly captures the time when Racing was Dangerous, but Sex was not.

OK, I am a huge Pete Lyons fan. He lived it and wrote about it so we could also live it. Great job and great book. A must read if you are a Can Am fan or a fan of the "good old days" of motor sports where determination and a few bucks could get you in the game.

This is a delightful book for any racing enthusiast who either loved the Can-Am or wants to learn why older fans revere it.

While Pete Lyons is as scrupulous as someone like Doug Nye about accuracy for such details as chassis numbers, Pete uses such information only to make sure that his narrative is accurate and consistent or to authoritatively state interesting facts, such as the cars that won consecutive events, or won the same events in consecutive years, or were raced by certain drivers.

Pete Lyons and Doug Nye are THE names for any library. Once again Pete lives up to a stellar reputation and this book is another must have for your collection.
Can Am is such a beloved series that you have to have the best book in your library and this is the one to build your library from.
I hope this helps you make your decision on purchase.

Reading Lyons' book is like reading the race reports at the time in Competion Press and Road & Track, with the added perspective of knowing how it all turns out after the rubber dust has settled. The candid driver shots of Bruce, Denny, Dan, Mark and the rest of these heroes of my college days, with the exquisite on-track shots and hardware close-ups, bring it all back in a great rush. It's a very difficult book to set down, time just seems to fly, as it seems those years did. It's a marvellous reminiscence of those larger-than-life men and the fastest road-racing machines ever built.

fabulous book, covers in detail what you need to know to make a fine paddle, including relative expansion rates of popular woods for paddle making, highly recommended to save your self from making lots of scrap from perfectly good paddle blanks.

Very informative book that covers everything from the historical background of paddle design to a detailed how to on how best to build a paddle. As an avid paddler and woodworker, I found this book to be perfect.

Great Book with lots of useful information. Would have liked a few more paddle designs, but overall, great book.

The book does exactly what it says, tells you about the history of different paddles, tells you how to make simple paddles, then tells you how to make complex paddles, and finally tells you how to traditionally make paddles. Ity really hits the spot for me as someone who likes making stuff, but am not quite ready to make my own canoe yet! I loved this book and am going to give it to my oldman.

I actually made a canoe paddle, and plan on making some more. My new paddle served me admirably on an extended trip. This is as complete a treatment of the subject as one could hope to find. Making a paddle is a reasonably complex process but the authors explain every step with well-illustrated clarity.

This book is easy to understand for the beginner yet is full of quality classical driving and training principles. It also incorporates natural horsemanship(so old it's new again!) principles. Highly detailed but not overwhelming. Excellent book. This should be the bible of Carriage Driving.

This is the best book on driving ever written. Extremely well organized and easy to follow. Answers all your questions just as you think of them. There is only one problem with this book -- it is very hard to find. People never resell their copies so if you can find one, grab it.

I have only read portions of the book at this point but plan to read all of it. I am completly ignorant of harness driving but recently purchased a miniature horse that I plan to finish in carting. This book has been an excellant resource. It is very detailed, but easy to understand. It mentions things to keep in mind that might not be obvious (like if you're new to harness or your horse is, you should have a bucking strap on your harness to save you a lot of frustration). I also like her approach to working with the horse - it is definately working WITH the horse and not BREAKING the horse. I have not read any other driving books yet to compare, but I am happy that I started with this one.

This is the book for anyone who is serious about training their horses for driving with no corner-cutting. It is obvious that this book was written by a true horse trainer for true horse trainers, people who love horses and are dedicated to making the training experience a joyful and life-long experience. Heike Bean's book covers everything you need to know starting with the very basics, horse anatomy, hoof structure and shoeing, conformation, collection, bits, harness, carts and carriages.

This is truly the best book on carriage driving ever written. It is the bible for people who know the sport. This is the one book you truly need if you want to learn carriage driving. You can tell from the first page you are in the hands of an expert.
The only thing wrong with this book is you can hardly ever find a copy. If you find one, grab it. ( I don't know what's going on but there were about 10 reviews of this book here, all of them glowing, and they seem to have been erased. Everyone in Driving knows how great this book is.)

Tom Anderson's son Marc is destined for greatest. At only twelve years old, this young boy has an amazing arm that carries his otherwise mediocre team. So long as the boy has the right guidance and the right team to enhance his skills Marc will definitely become a superstar quarterback. So when a scout for a better team wants to give Marc the shot of a lifetime, Tom is willing to sacrifice almost anything: his marriage, time with his daughter, and even his son's health.

Anyone who has participated in sports or has children who participate in sports has probably met a man like Tom Anderson. He's not an evil man who purposefully pushes his child beyond his limits. Instead, he just sort of got caught up in the dream of his son attaining something he never had the chance to accomplish. Somewhere along the line, he just forgot to ask his son if it was his dream too.

Tom Anderson has football ambitions for his son and has a daughter with rare soccer skills. He struggles with perspective and balance in his aspirations. In Tom Anderson I saw lots of good and bad youth parents (including myself). The author skillfully keeps us involved in this family where the dynamics and conflicts of youth sports are played out. Tom Anderson spends about as much time and pages in sex scenes (almost exclusively with his wife) as he does in football. A real interesting combination that Dad's will enjoy reading. A very satisfying, well-told story.

I enjoyed the book.

The pages turned rapidly and I had that air flight moment where the taxi to the gate didn't take long enough and I had to be chased off the plane. It was a fun read. The characters have depth and complexities - not all good or bad. How do you know when it is time to step in and defy "the authority" and when do you continue to trust "the authority?" The story made me ask, "What would I do if I saw this happening?"

I played youth sports with my eight siblings in a small town and I now coach my daughters' teams. I recognize in the characters in the story, the personality of many parents that interfere, support, encourage and discourage young children in their pursuit of fun. At times the book brought knots to my stomach where parents knew what was "best" for their child-- whom was the "best" and was going to see to IT. What do you do if you were that kid? He knew he wasn't. I don't remember any parent stepping in to mitigate the trouble created by a misguided parent. My classmate suffered. Look around the stands, sidelines, and field, What do you see?

The book highlights and focuses the light on some of the most egregious actions that parents take in the guise of doing what is best. I would suggest these parents read the book and see if they recognize themselves. Opps - there is no time for those parents in the long-term plan for idling reading good practice time away.

In the book's case, I want the next book to explore what happens to Marc and his Dad's relationship if Marc becomes the second stringer? Tom (Marc's Dad) couldn't handle it. Knowing what he was willing to do so far to get his soon the "right," the "best," opportunity, what would he do and how would he justify it? That is just one of the many untold stories the books sets-up. Marc's twin sister Katie has her own issues with her Dad's misguided help. Why does Katie always have to help and Marc gets to skip the household chores? I want to know more.

I recommend the book to anyone who has ever watched a youth's game. I am looking forward to the next book.

As I read this work my mind went back to the many football games and baseball games that I attended with my sons in their youth and I wondered how guilty I was in pushing my children where they did not want to go in these competitive sports. From birth we teach our children to do the best they can and sometimes we go overboard pushing them beyond their limits. In this book, Catch a Rising Star, we meet Tom and his son Marc who are thrust headlong into a game where winning maybe losing and losing maybe exactly what should happen.
From the beginning of Marc's life Tom pruned him to be a football star, but Tom never considered the factors of life that would play into his decision for the future of his son.
As life progressed, Marc indeed was superior to other children in this game, but Marc lacked the spark that was required to take it to the limit and Tom almost destroyed his son and family by foolishly trying to light the spark that was not there.
In this book our author explores the unrealistic expectations that many parents pile upon their children in sports and the destruction these actions can cause. The storyline pulls you in and craft-fully the author illuminates the part over zealous parents with an agenda of their own play in the life of our children's sports. Often to their destruction.
This is an eye-opening read done in an entertaining way and one that all parents, couches and those who overshadow our children in any competitive area should read.
Shirley Johnson
Senior Reviewer
MidWest Book Review

My husband used to coach little league, and I saw many parents as depicted in Don's book. It's a sad state of affairs. Don is an eloquent writer. The story seems to leap off of the page. I'm sure this is the beginning of a magnificent writing career for Mr. Albertson.

This was a used book I purchased and I have to say I was very, very pleased with the condition.
The author of this book puts everything in very simple terms & makes it easy for a newby to follow along.
I really love it & was glad to add it to my collection of polymer clay books that is ever expanding thanks to Amazon!!!

I collect books on Polymer Clay Artistry and Beading, and this is one of the best of any genre. An absolute classic, suitable for beginners and more experienced clay artists. If you ever thought of Polymer Clay as a relative to Play-Doh, you won't after reading this lucious book.

I love this book and I know you will too if you are into clay or just thinking about trying it. The projects are all wonderful, with easy to follow instructions. Everything to keep a beginner or an advanced clayer busy. Sarajane Helm out did herself this time. Can wait to see what's up her other sleeve.

It is a beautiful book to look at and to admire. But if you are a beginner I suggest going with "New ways with Polymer clay" and or "The polymer clay techniques book". The Techniques book is very helpful!! I loved this book but for now all I can do is look and dream.

I first seen this book at a crafting store and with their price came home and found it on Amazon.com at a lower cost..thats the first most important thing...I really love the way they incorperate the mica's in the projects to give them a very rich expensive non crafted look..I was very impressed with the projects in this book and reviewing it before I bought it was the selling point for me..Mrs.C.

Great story of a great athlete, Pete is a great champion and yet a
normal and humble kind of guy... his words are sincere and the book is a
good read...

I've been an avid Petenik since the kid won the U.S. Open at the tender age of 19. I was living in NYC at the time and got to see him play at Flushing Meadows just once during the first Grand Slam that he won. This book took me back to that time (and earlier), and walked me through the fantastic wins and frustrating losses that I watched on TV. As a result, I am rummaging through my vast piles of video tapes of his matches and converting them to DVDs so I can enjoy them again without worrying that they will fall apart.

This book gives great insight into how to achieve your goals. From a young age Sampras knew what he wanted to achieve and worked hard to accomplish it.
The book is for Sampras and tennis lovers. It focuses on specific matches and the story behind them.
Great summer sports read.

As Jon Wertheim said, "Consider this book Sampras' 15th grand slam." More than a tennis memoir, the always private and unassuming Sampras, of all people, let's you get inside of his head. Especially, as he discusses the latter stages of his career when sportswriters, fellow players and other experts considered his championship days to be over. Pete openly lets readers in on what went through his mind and how he was able to overcome any thoughts that kept him from focusing on one thing throughout his career, winning tennis matches.

I cracked open the book on a transatlantic red-eye flight thinking that I would read a couple of chapters to put me to sleep. Boy, was I wrong! I finally slept but only after finishing the book.
I am a tennis nut but I thought the content would be appreciated even by people that aren't tennis nuts. He covers his career and key matches but there is a lot of coverage given to people, his relationships and what made him a champion. It is difficult to walk the fine line of sounding confident without coming across as arrogant but Pete Sampras does a good job of that throughout the book like he did/does in real life - he talks about the Gift and how he went about harnessing it. He has very candid commentary about a number of other fellow pros like McEnroe, Connors, Lendl, Federer, etc. He talks about his relationships and competition with his generation of American players (Agassi, Courier and Chang) in a lot of detail as well as his relationship with his coaches through the years. All in all, if you are a tennis fan (or follow sports in general), this is a must read!